Xiao Yun and Wang Qingyao considered inviting the Grand Tutor Feng Fu to the Ding'an Prince's mansion.
However, considering the time, Shun Feng's injuries should be almost healed. If he were to enter the palace at this moment and succeed, everything would be ruined.
Therefore, Xiao Yun and Wang Qingyao, after much deliberation, had Fang Zheng mention it during an audience with the Emperor. He suggested that since the Ding'an Princess Consort's eyes had not healed for a long time, it would be beneficial to invite the Grand Tutor to perform a ritual, which might lead to a cure.
The Grand Tutor, considering himself the spiritual symbol of the Great Sheng Dynasty, disliked the common term "ritual."
Nevertheless, he went.
Wang Qingzhen and her husband were both present.
Weng Zhicheng, along with Xiao Yun, entertained Grand Tutor Feng Fu.
Wang Qingzhen stayed in Kangping Courtyard to chat with Wang Qingyao. After a while, she was drawn to Pingping and An'an, and joined them in playing.
An'an was sweet-tongued, calling her "Auntie" with great delight. With her eyes curved and a smile on her lips, she was incredibly adorable.
Wang Qingzhen doted on them immensely, holding An'an one moment and Pingping the next.
Wang Qingyao asked her, "...How is it going?"
"She is already recuperating," Wang Qingzhen replied softly, a boundless longing in her eyes. "It should be soon. Imperial Physician Lu seems very confident."
Wang Qingyao nodded. If Imperial Physician Lu said it was possible, then it surely was. Wang Qingyao had great faith in Imperial Physician Lu's medical skills.
They then spoke of Wang Qingzhu.
"In April next year, Fourth Sister will give birth," Wang Qingzhen said. "Ever since that concubine cousin in their household left, Fourth Sister and Fourth Brother-in-law have been living in harmony."
Wang Qingyao let out a cold laugh. As one drinks water, one knows its warmth or coldness. On the surface, they might be in harmony, but inwardly, Wang Qingzhu was likely already disheartened and resigned.
"The Emperor has yet to approve the memorial requesting the enfeoffment of the heir apparent for the Earl of Jinxiang!" she remarked.
Wang Qingzhen raised an eyebrow. She felt that Wang Qingyao's words carried a hint of schadenfreude.
"If Fourth Brother-in-law is established as the heir apparent of the Earl of Jinxiang," she deliberated, "then Fourth Sister will also be the wife of the heir apparent. That would be a joyous occasion."
As she spoke, she subtly observed Wang Qingyao's expression.
Wang Qingyao's face revealed little, but her tone when mentioning their family was indifferent.
"Fourth Brother-in-law is of concubine birth, no wonder the Emperor is hesitant. However, Fourth Sister's son is of legitimate birth... I heard that Fourth Sister is now very favored by their mother-in-law, who has already arranged for the child to be raised by the Countess of Jinxiang after birth."
Wang Qingzhen exclaimed "Yo," surprised that Wang Qingzhu would give up her first child.
However, from Wang Qingyao's words, it seemed there was more to the story.
The father was of concubine birth, and the son was of legitimate birth. It seemed a bit odd...
Before Wang Qingzhen could fully comprehend, Xiao Yun and the others arrived after finishing their meal.
Grand Tutor Feng Fu was conversing with Weng Zhicheng as he walked, appearing quite intimate.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun exchanged a look. It seemed Weng Zhicheng had won over Grand Tutor Feng Fu.
Wang Qingzhen knew that Grand Tutor Feng Fu was here to help Wang Qingyao with her eyes. Seeing him arrive, she, with great perceptiveness, retreated to the adjacent room with Weng Zhicheng.
Wang Qingyao, noticing the Grand Tutor was empty-handed, asked, "Grand Tutor, are you not bringing any tools for the ritual?"
The Grand Tutor's brow furrowed. He adopted a dignified, immortal-like demeanor, stroked his beard, and said, "Heh heh, how can this Grand Tutor be compared to those common street sorcerers? This Grand Tutor is of a higher cultivation level and uses his mind."
As expected, he was as boastful as ever.
Thus, under Grand Tutor Feng Fu's direction, Wang Qingyao closed her eyes and sat upright on the chair.
Grand Tutor Feng Fu held his right palm in the air above Wang Qingyao's head, his eyes slightly closed. He chanted incantations while circling around her.
His murmurs, sometimes loud, sometimes soft, were unintelligible to anyone.
After circling about ten times, Grand Tutor Feng Fu stopped and declared, "Done."
The moment he finished speaking, Grand Tutor Feng Fu swayed unsteadily and fell to the side. Xiao Yun, caught off guard, heard a "bang" as he hit the ground.
The maids and servants in the room were dumbfounded.
For a moment, they were unsure if the fall was part of the ritual or a genuine accident.
Grand Tutor Feng Fu groaned from the ground, "Prince Ding'an, help... help this Grand Tutor up."
Xiao Yun helped him up from the ground.
"Grand Tutor, what happened?"
Grand Tutor Feng Fu replied, "Oh, this Grand Tutor got dizzy from circling."
Xiao Yun: "..."
Wang Qingyao: "..."
The servants in the room: "..."
Grand Tutor Feng Fu stood up, elegantly brushed the dust off his clothes, and with an immortal-like demeanor, stroked his beard and asked, "How does the Princess Consort feel?"
Amidst everyone's anticipation, Wang Qingyao slowly opened her eyes.
"Ah, I can see! I can see again!" she exclaimed, standing up in surprise, her face beaming with joy. She looked around eagerly, as if a drowning person had finally surfaced, greedily scanning every corner of the room.
"Your Majesty, is it true? Can you really see?" Yin Zhu was so excited she was on the verge of tears.
Wang Qingyao nodded solemnly, "It's true."
Yin Zhu covered her mouth and began to cry, "Wuwuwu..."
Although Zhi Zi remained silent, her eyes were also filled with tears.
Frankly speaking, Wang Qingyao felt her acting skills were quite good.
However, Xiao Yun cleared his throat and gave her a look that said, "Your acting is too exaggerated."
Wang Qingyao rolled her eyes at him, leaned in, and pinched his cheeks forcefully.
"Ah, Your Highness, I can finally see you again! Have you gotten fatter?"
Xiao Yun's eye twitched violently.
"You made me fat by pinching me so hard."
Wang Qingyao's inner thought: Hahahaha.
"Grand Tutor, thank you so much! Because of you, I have regained my sight!" Wang Qingyao said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Grand Tutor Feng Fu waved his hand modestly, "Ahem, it's nothing, it's nothing."
Wang Qingzhen, who had heard the commotion from the next room, came over and was both surprised and delighted.
"Second Sister, that's wonderful!"
She cast an admiring glance at Grand Tutor Feng Fu, whose vanity was greatly satisfied.
The play had reached its climax.
Xiao Yun, under the pretense of needing to consult the Grand Tutor privately, sent everyone else away.
Only he and Wang Qingyao remained.
He cupped his hands towards Grand Tutor Feng Fu and said, "The Grand Tutor is indeed a divine physician, living up to his reputation. He has cured the Princess Consort's eye ailment with such ease."
Grand Tutor Feng Fu visibly flinched, then pretended to be calm.
"What are you saying, Your Highness? Divine physician?"
Wang Qingyao was more direct than Xiao Yun. "Let's be honest. Are you the master of Bian Siyue, the daughter of the Bian family, from back then?"
Grand Tutor Feng Fu was greatly startled. "How does the Princess Consort know Bian Siyue?"
"Siyue is currently a concubine of Prince Ding'an," Wang Qingyao said indifferently. "She resides in the West Garden. If you deny it, I can summon her here immediately to identify you."
Xiao Yun felt the situation was taking an unexpected turn.
They were the ones seeking a favor, yet Wang Qingyao seemed to be issuing threats and pressure.
He brought his fist to his mouth and coughed lightly, quickly exchanging a glance with Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao also realized she had been a bit too forceful. She bared her teeth slightly, relaxing her facial muscles to appear more amiable.
She said, "Siyue has always missed you. She has mentioned her master to me several times. If you are indeed her master, please acknowledge her. The entire Bian family is gone, leaving her as an orphan. It is truly pitiful..."
Grand Tutor Feng Fu's eyes reddened, and a single tear fell. He said mournfully, "I... am indeed Siyue's master."